One of the principal attractions of studying Classical Greek is that the language, literature and culture of Ancient Greece have had such a profound influence on our own. The aim of this course is to ensure that by the end students know enough of the language to tackle GCSE with confidence. Greek works in a very similar way to Latin, so similar skills are required to study it successfully. Students will therefore develop skills in looking carefully at words, recalling vocabulary and the meaning of a word’s ending, and piecing together information in a methodical fashion to arrive at a correct translation. The material read during this year is set in a particular place and time (a village near Athens at the outbreak of the Peloponnesian War) and so the course also affords ample opportunity for the discussion of such topics as slavery, pagan gods and warfare.
The GCSE course involves both the further development of language skills, which are tested by translation and comprehension, and a close study in the original language of the work of Greek authors such as Homer who have done much to influence European literature.
Students who have enjoyed Latin at their prep school but who have not yet had the opportunity to study Classical Greek are most welcome, as well as those who already have some experience of the language.
OCR: 1941
GCSE requires pupils to demonstrate their linguistic competence in component 01 by translation of unprepared passages of the original language into English and by a comprehension exercise. Components 02 and 03 provide opportunities to encounter some of the great works of classical literature, both prose and verse, in the original language; set texts are studied in detail, and in the examination passages are given for translation and comment on context, background and literary content. All exam papers are marked externally and there is no coursework. It is not possible to start study of Greek in the Remove; a grade A at GCSE is normally required to enable a pupil to continue Greek as a Specialist.
J P Freeman
The study of an ancient language at this level is concerned with translation both from and into the target language and also with reading and responding to some of the great works of literature composed in the Classical world. Pupils who wish to study Greek as Specialists will require experience of and success in Greek at GCSE.
The first year will be spent in consolidating and improving language skills and in exposing pupils to a wide variety of Greek literature. Pupils will be introduced to writing in Greek, broaden their vocabulary and practise the analysis of sentences more complex than those they met at GCSE. They will also read widely in a variety of genres, learning the skill of literary criticism, which will include the writing of essays. They will also extend their knowledge of the history, political institutions and social structure of the ancient world so that they may place their reading securely in its historical context.
The second year will be spent practising and enhancing the linguistic skills of unseen translation and prose composition, as well as the criticism of unseen passages of verse. Another primary focus of the year will be the close study of two prescribed texts, one in verse and one in prose.
Candidates will be prepared for examination in the following four papers:
1. Verse literature (two hours and thirty minutes): Candidates will be required to write answers to questions on passages of a prescribed verse text, and also to write an essay on the text as a whole. In addition, they will be required either to write an essay on a prescribed literary theme exemplified by their text, or to answer literary questions on an unseen passage of verse. This paper carries 30% of the marks for the examination as a whole.
2. Prose literature (two hours): Candidates will be required to write answers to questions on passages of a prescribed prose text, and also to write an essay on the text as a whole. This paper carries 20% of the marks for the examination as a whole.
3. Unseen Translation (two hours): Candidates will be required to translate two passages, one of prose and one of verse, into good English. This paper carries 30% of the marks for the examination as a whole.
4. Prose Composition (one hour and thirty minutes): Candidates will be required to translate a passage of English prose into Greek. This paper carries 20% of the marks for the examination as a whole.
Because the study of a Classical language develops skills in the close analysis of data and the systematic application of the rules of grammar, and the study of literature promotes artistic sensitivity, it is commonly combined with languages such as English, French, Spanish, or German, with humanities such as History, and with sciences such as Mathematics and Economics. There are, however, no required or precluded combinations.
Pre-U Greek gives excellent preparation for many courses at university. Apart from students of Classics and Archaeology, modern linguists and historians will also find Greek a great support to their studies. As for careers, it has never been true that the study of Classics fits one only to be a Classics teacher. Students of Classics enjoy success in a huge variety of careers from journalism to accountancy, and from management to publishing. Because the study of Classical languages promotes both analytical rigour and sensitivity to art, it gives the pupil an enviable preparation for life after school.
J.P. Freeman